ISSN: 2573-1734
Authors: Kondre H* , Biswas A , Keerthana , Panchal H and Rohankar J
The increase in drug crimes in the digital era has amplified the need to integrate forensic toxicology and digital forensic methods. Drug analysis and device-based evidence traditionally fall into separate forensic workflows, leading to fragmented investigative results and delayed interventions. In this paper we propose a cyber-toxicological framework to systematically link narcotic related digital traces (messaging apps, encrypted chats, online markets, location data, payment records) with toxicological outcomes from laboratory analysis of biological samples. The framework outlines a systematic workflow for the collection and preservation of digital evidence, temporal metadata alignment with toxicology profiles and risk-based case prioritization for substances such as new psychoactive substances (NPS), opioids and stimulants. The model embeds digital forensic intelligence into drug-crime investigation, improving the reconstruction of trafficking patterns, identification of key actors and detection of high-risk users. It also discusses legal, technical and resource challenges in the Indian forensic setting, including chain-of-custody requirements, data-admissibility standards and infrastructural deficiencies. The proposed approach is presented as a practical tool to assist more holistic and timely investigations of narcotics-related offences in the digital age for forensic-medicine departments, toxicology laboratories and cyber-crime units. This makes it relevant to international forensic-science audiences, as it is adaptable to different jurisdictional practices and the convergence of chemical and digital evidence.
Keywords: Narcotics; Digital Forensics; Cyber-Toxicological